Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-04

were these sheriffs come 70 hrfene soi
Or--more dreadful thought-were hers
40 badly made that the people who had
bouobt them came TO make complaint 10
her mother? Then she heard tho gen.
tlemen say something about souvenirs
of California. auuts in the East, all OF
the lavender sticks at the hotel being
sold. and taking the liberty OF coming
to Mrs. Lunavari,a herself to see II she
would make him dozen more. All OF her
lavender sticks sold Could it be posi-
bic 4? Tulita's heart gave happy bound,
aud in the excitement Of the moment
she turned to her bewildered mother and
poured forth her confession 10 what Mr..
Brown afterward declared was the most
musical Spanish he had ever heard IN
his life. This was followed by quick,
sharp questions from the mother, and
pleading, faltering answers from the
girl. and then what seemed q torrent OF
reproach and protest fell from the lips OF
the sonora.
at seems" said Mr.. Benton, IN low
tone to bis friend, "that the old lady
was not posted"
"No. confound you" Indignantly
whispered Mr.. Brown, "you have let
the little girl in for nice scolding."
Then the Sonora Lunavarita, with
flushed face and glistening eyes, turned
TO the two gent men and said, with dig
nifty and pathos:
"Senors, have to make the apology
to You. 1t is my daughter that makes
| these-these-"
Lavender sticks. suggested Benton,
pleasantly.
"Theso lavender sticks, and did not
know. She is young lady and | would
not have her do work. Sainted Mother
it is bad enough for me, who am old.
And did not know, you understand !?
Not that my daughter ever does any.
thing without telling me" she added
hastily "no, senior, never She has no
secrets from her mother. But her father
is dead and We are poor" Here the
senora's voice faltered little, and one
of the tears that had been gathering
in her eyes rolled slowly down her face.
awe are poor, and l have to work, and
my daughter, she loves me, and she says
it makes her sad to see me sew, sew, oil
the time sew, and she do nothing, and
so she makes these things to help her
poor mother, and-and" here the senora's
feeling overcame her, and, turning to
Tulita, who had stolen TO her side, with
a little gesture of surrender she allowed
her tears to flow unrestrained.
Quickly putting her arms around her
mothers neck, Tuita drew her head
down upon her shoulder and spoke to
her soothingly in Spanish. Then, turn
ing gravely, almost defantly TO the
young men, she SAID: "My mother has
not been very well for the last few days,
senors, and tonight she is not herself.
You will excuse her"
At this both of the gentlemen arose,
and Mr. Brown, speaking for the first
time, said 1--WE are very sorry, indeed
we are. We had no idea that-that your
mother was not well. In fact, hope
that you will pardon us for taking the
liberty Of calling on you about so trifing
q matter"
Now, although Mr.. Browns apology
was not very eloquent, there was sin
cerity and sympathetic feeling in the
young mans voice that made its way to
the hearts of both of the women. The
sonora raised her head, and, drying her
eyes, said, with smiling simplicity:
San, senior, do not feel distressed be-
cause cry little. l often cry | am
not very strong since my husband died.
But it is nothing"
Tulita mean while, having arisen, had
gone to the door, in the evident expecta-
ton OF the immediate departure of her
unexpected guests. In fact, Mr.. Brown
himself stood hat in hand ready to 60,
but Mr. Benton was lingering to make
some reply to the senora's words.
Then Mr. Brown, on the impulse OF
the moment. said to the girl, who stood
near him: "You are not annoyed or
angry with me-with us, l mean, for
coming?"
"Why should I be ?" replied Tulta
with dignity. 1t is of no cOnse-
Quence."
May I hope, then, that you will
make the lavender sticks for me l will
call for them, of course" said Mr..
Brown.
81 will make some more for sale at the
news stand" replied Tulita "no doubt
you can get them there"
Having administered which little cut,
Tulita turned her big, dark eyes severely
upon the still tarrying Mr.. Benton.
Brown, convinced now that their visit
had displeased the young lady, also
turned and glared at the cause Of his dis
comfture. What was their surprise to
find that Mr. Benton had reseated him
self, and that he and the sonora had APP
parently launched into an extended con-
versation.
care you coming, Benton ?" said
Brown, impatiently.
Sin q minute, my dear fellow" re-
piled his friend; 81 have just discover
ed that Mrs. Lunavarita and have a
whole lot of mutual friends up in San
Francisco"
And the sonora herself, turning to her
daughter, confirmed this in quite an ami
mated way, repeating several names, evil
IDENTIFY those OF the friends referred to.
Then Mr.. Browns eyes sought Tulita's
with such solemn protest that she, in her
turn, could not help smiling Common
politeness forced her to say, CIVIL you
not sit down ?" But no, Mr.. Brown
would not sit down he preferred to do
penance standing. Then he looked so
unhappy. casting gloomy chances at his
friend, which that gentleman ignored,
that Tulita finally began to feel a
little pity for the young man. Per-
haps she had been too severe. After
all, he was very evidently a gentle
man, and was not bad looking, and he
had the good taste to appreciate her
lavender sticks. And so, after a little
hesitation, she ventured TO ask him if he
was stranger in San Diego. She al
most laughed again to see how grateful
he looked for this bit of condescension.
In fact, this young man was SO modest
and courteous, so different from his
companion, for instance, it was really a
pleasure to encourage him q little.
Then gradually Mr.. Brown ceased to
cast remonstntive glances at his friend.
and presently, when he saw that he was
keeping Miss I.unavarita standing, he
consented 10 sit down.
1t was growing dark when Mr.. Brown
again arose to his feet and exclaimed
pcremptorily: "Come, Benton, we must
A lorft -